Lifecycle: b
Build using 100% reused materials, cradle-to-cradle model, with resource efficient construction techniques
Impact Estimator for Buildings
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
Athena Sustainable Materials Institute
What does it do?
Free software tool that will evaluate whole buildings and assemblies using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. User is prompted to input the required information and the tool presents detailed results on the cradle-grave environmental impact. Includes the ability to add in alternative materials or processes to conduct design analysis and make improvements.
Why use it?
Free LCA tool to support decision making during the design and build phases of a major project.
Accessibility
Tools can be downloaded via website free of charge.
Target Audience
Technical
Difficulty Level
Advanced
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
Construction
How to access it
Rating
BEES 3.0 (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability)
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
National Institute of Standards and Technology, US Dept of Commerce
What does it do?
Using a guided life cycle assessment online tool the user inputs required information to gain an assessment of environmental and economic performance of building products. Covers all stages in the life of a product including raw material acquisition, manufacture, transportation, installation, use, and recycling and waste management. In addition, measures economic performance using a life cycle cost method covering the costs of initial investment, replacement, operation, maintenance and repair, and disposal). Both environmental and economic performances are combined into an overall performance measure.
Why use it?
Technique for selecting cost-effective, environmentally-preferable building products for construction projects.
Accessibility
Tools fully accessible via website, free of charge.
Target Audience
Technical
Difficulty Level
Advanced
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
Construction
How to access it
Rating
IMPACT for LCA
Type of Resource
Software tool
Source
IMPACT Partners:BREiesWhole Life LtdWillmott Dixon
What does it do?
IMPACT is a method and dataset that integrates with 3D CAD/BIM tools to report on environmental impacts and life cycle costing in the construction industry. IMPACT takes quantity information from the BIM and multiplies this by the environmental impact and/or cost ‘rates’ to produce an overall impact and cost for the whole (or a selected part) of the design. The results generated by IMPACT allow the user to:
•analyse the design to optimise cost and environmental impacts.
•compare whole-building results to a suitable benchmark to assess performance, which can be linked to building assessment schemes.
•analyse the design to optimise cost and environmental impacts.
•compare whole-building results to a suitable benchmark to assess performance, which can be linked to building assessment schemes.
Why use it?
Software tool that integrates with CAD and BIM tooling to provide a rich picture of environmental impact and life cycle costing on construction projects.
Accessibility
Required to get in touch with one of the IMPACT partners. The cost of IMPACT varies according to the specific IMPACT compliant tool and can be obtained from the respective software developer directly.
Target Audience
Technical
Difficulty Level
Advanced
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
Construction
How to access it
Rating
The Circular Design Guide
Type of Resource
Guidance website
Source
Collaboration between the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and IDEO.
What does it do?
Provides practical guidance and resources to start designing projects in line with sustainable and circular economy principles. This includes guidance and materials to deliver circular design workshops and to support the use of circular design methods as well as providing user stories / case studies.
Why use it?
Gain the skills and resources to run a circular design process on your project.
Accessibility
Fully accessible
Target Audience
Usable by all
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Pre-requisites to use
None
Sector
All